Site mapping system having tool load monitoring

Abstract

A site mapping system for use with a machine having a work tool is disclosed. The site mapping system may have a locating device mountable on the machine and configured to generate a first signal associated with a three-dimensional position of the machine at the site, at least one sensor mountable on the work tool and configured to generate a second signal indicative of a characteristic of material being moved by the work tool, and a controller in communication with the locating device and the at least one sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a composition of the material based on the second signal. The controller may also be configured to update an electronic map of the site based on the composition and the first signal.

1 . A site mapping system for use with a machine having a work tool, the site mapping system comprising:
 a locating device mountable on the machine and configured to generate a first signal associated with a three-dimensional position of the machine at a site;   at least one sensor mountable on the work tool and configured to generate a second signal indicative of a characteristic of material being moved by the work tool; and   a controller in communication with the locating device and the at least one sensor, the controller being configured to:
 determine a composition of the material based on the second signal; and 
 update an electronic map of the site based on the composition and the first signal. 
   
     
     
         2 . The site mapping system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one sensor is a spectrometer; and   the second signal is indicative of an identity of a constituent of the material being moved by the work tool.   
     
     
         3 . The site mapping system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor further includes a camera configured to generate a third signal indicative of a volume of material being moved by the work tool. 
     
     
         4 . The site mapping system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the at least one sensor further includes a load cell configured to generate a fourth signal indicative of a weight of the material moved by the work tool; and   the controller is further configured to determine a density of the material being moved by the work tool based on the third and fourth signals.   
     
     
         5 . The site mapping system of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine a concentration of a particular constituent within the material being moved by the work tool based on the second signal and the density. 
     
     
         6 . The site mapping system of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine an amount of the particular constituent within the material being moved by the work tool based on the concentration and volume of the material. 
     
     
         7 . The site mapping system of  claim 6 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine a value of the particular constituent within the material being moved by the work tool based on the amount and a known market price for the particular constituent. 
     
     
         8 . The site mapping system of  claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to allocate site resources based on the value of the particular constituent. 
     
     
         9 . The site mapping system of  claim 8 , wherein the controller is a site controller in communication with multiple different machines and configured to assign tasks to the multiple different machines based on the allocated resources. 
     
     
         10 . The site mapping system of  claim 8 , wherein the controller is mountable onboard the machine. 
     
     
         11 . The site mapping system of  claim 1 , further including a display mountable within an operator station of the machine, wherein the controller is in communication with the display and configured to provide information regarding the electronic map to the display. 
     
     
         12 . The site mapping system of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic map is three-dimensional. 
     
     
         13 . A method executable by a processor of mapping a worksite, comprising:
 determining via the processor a three-dimensional location of a machine operating at the worksite;   sensing via a sensor in communication with the processor a characteristic of material being moved by a work tool of the machine;   determining via the processor a composition of the material based on the characteristic; and   updating via the processor an electronic map of the worksite based on the composition of the material and the location of the machine.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein sensing the characteristic includes:
 exposing the material being moved by the work tool to an energy source;   measuring frequencies of light emitted by the material during exposure; and   identifying constituents of the material based on the frequencies.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 sensing the characteristics further includes capturing an image of the material being moved by the work tool; and   the method further includes determining a volume of the material based on the image.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 sensing the characteristic further includes measuring a weight of the material being moved by the work tool; and   the method further includes determining a density of the material being moved by the work tool based on the volume and the weight.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further including determining a concentration of a particular constituent within the material being moved by the work tool based on identification of the constituents and the density. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further including determining an amount of the particular constituent within the material being moved by the work tool based on the concentration and volume of the material. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including determining a value of the particular constituent within the material being moved by the work tool based on the amount and a known market price for the particular constituent. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further including allocating resources at the worksite based on the value. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , further including displaying within an operator station of the machine information regarding the electronic map. 
     
     
         22 . A machine, comprising:
 a frame;   at least one traction device configured to support the frame and propel the machine about a worksite;   a work tool operatively connected to the frame and configured to move material at the worksite;   a locating device mounted on the frame and configured to generate a first signal associated with a three-dimensional position of the machine at the worksite;   a spectrometer mounted on the work tool and configured to generate a second signal indicative of an identity of a constituent of the material;   a camera mounted on the work tool and configured to generate an image of the material;   a display located within an operator station of the machine; and   a controller in communication with the locating device, the spectrometer, the camera, and the display, the controller being configured to:
 determine a composition of the material based on the second signal; 
 determine a volume of the material based on the image; 
 update a three-dimensional electronic map of the worksite based on the composition, the volume, and the first signal; and 
   provide information to the display related to the three-dimensional electronic map.